How do you establish/ascertain its difference

Question

Hi, it's back to normal after Christmas.

Let's say,this sentence: All work finished, I went back home.

Is the underlined non-finite absolute phrase with the past participle form of "finished" or just a normal finite clause with the past tense form of "finished" ?

To me, it is difficult to differentiate because "finish" can be both intransitive and transitive, in other words, it can be both active and passive in this sentence.

Do you have any hints on it?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

It is non-finite.  'Work' cannot finish anything, so it must be passive.

Anonymous · Answer

If I changed the subject of the clause, are they still correct?

1. The meeting finished, I went back home.

2. The play finished, I went back home.

3. The play/metting over, I went back home.

Are they still non-finite?

I'm glad you could help, thank you.

Mister Micawber · Answer

So it seems to me:

1. The meeting [having] finished, I went back home.
2. The play [having] finished, I went back home.
3. The play/meeting [being] over, I went back home.

How do you establish/ascertain its difference

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